Trade via Attari to be resumed today
Amritsar, May 1
Four days after they suspended bilateral trade between India and Pakistan at the new Integrated Check Post at Attari, the striking traders today decided to temporarily resume the trade from tomorrow after the government agreed to one of their major demands while assuring to review others as well.

Hoshiarpur kidnapping-cum-murder case
Convict moves Supreme Court for stay on execution
New Delhi, May 1
Vikram Singh, who was sentenced to death in the kidnapping-cum-and murder of Abhi
Verma, a 16-year-old student of DAV School, Hoshiarpur, in February 2005, today pleaded with the Supreme Court to stay his execution, citing the delay over his mercy petition and challenging the law under which he was convicted.

Bains brothers back with SAD
Chandigarh, May 1
Balwinder Singh Bains and his brother Simarjit Singh Bains, both Independent MLAs from Ludhiana, who were expelled from the SAD for turning rebels just prior to the last assembly elections, were taken back to the party fold today. “We are happy to be back home,” they told SAD president Sukhbir Badal.

Sukhbir: No decision yet on VP nominee
Chandigarh, May 1
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has not received any formal communication from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leadership on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s name as it’s Vice-Presidential candidate. Even the name of AJP Abdul Kalam for President’s post has been suggested by the BJP and not the NDA, said SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

It’s official: Candidates spent
Rs 1.17 crore on paid news
Chandigarh, May 1
Fears of the Chief Election Commission of India on the misuse of media in the form of paid news have come true. Candidates inserted news worth Rs 1.17 crore in various newspapers during th assembly elections in Punjab, despite the model code of conduct banning the practice.

Sodhi takes up border farmers’ cause with PM
Ferozepur, May 1
Congress MLA from Guruharsahai Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi took up the issue of compensation to farmers with land-holding across the border fence with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during a meeting with him yesterday.

Presidential polls
SAD to support BJP, says Badal
Nabha, May 1
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has made it clear that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will support the BJP on whatever decision the alliance partner will take on the issue of presidential polls.

Rapid transport project hits roadblock
Amritsar, May 1
The state government’s ambitious ULTra personal rapid transport system that is to be introduced in the holy city is unlikely to meet its 2014 deadline. For, the congested and narrow streets of Amritsar have compelled the authorities to implement need-based changes in the original model.A narrow lane between the Golden Temple and Bus Stand that is posing a challenge to the authorities(left) Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had laid the foundation
stone (middle) and the concept is based on the pattern of magnetic pods (right) at Heathrow Airport. Photos: Vishal Kumar

Ferozepur Paddy Scam
Investigation back with crime branch
Moga, May 1
The crime branch of the Punjab Police will continue investigation in the Rs 8-crore paddy scam. Unearthed in December 2009 in the border district of Ferozepur, it also has roots in Faridkot and Moga districts.An accused in the case, Gurbhej Singh, had met former DGP Anil Kaushik on February 28 after which the case investigation was transferred from the crime branch to the Ferozepur SP (D).

Lifting Ban on Cotton Exports
It’s too late, say farmers
Bathinda, May 1
The Centre’s decision allowing cotton export has failed to bring cheer to farmers who say the decision will
primarily benefit traders and exporters. District president, BKU Ekta
(Ugraha), Shingara Singh Mann, said farmers had nothing to gain from the government’s move. “The ban on exports should have been lifted in September-October to provide farmers an opportunity to
sell their produce for exports in the open market. Under
globalisation, the rich alone are being empowered,” Mann said.

Villagers block road against police inaction
Sahnewal, May 1
Residents of Katani Kalan village today blocked the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road for nearly three hours in protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the police in nabbing a hit-and-run accused.

Nabha school battles monkey menace
Nabha, May 1
Punjab Public School (PPS), Nabha, which is waiting for its alumnus Lieut Gen Bikram Singh to take over the reins of the Indian Army on May 31, is battling monkey menace, which has assumed alarming proportions in the area.

Bitta flays Thapar varsity for scrapping quota
Patiala, May 1
Chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front Maninderjeet Singh Bitta met student leader Harpal Singh, sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against Thapar University’s decision to scrap 50 per cent quota for Punjab students, outside university campus today.
Bitta assured the student leader that he would take up the matter with the Punjab Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and meet HRD Ministry and Vice President of India to get the quota restored.

Teachers gherao Minister’s house
Patiala, May 1
Intensifying their agitation against the Punjab Government for allegedly delaying the notification of their revised pay scales, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and CSS Teachers today gheraoed the house of Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra.

Pandove elected electricity sports board chief
Patiala, May 1
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) chief administrator, RP
Pandove, has been unanimously elected as president of the All-India Electricity Sports Control Board
(AIESCB) for the next four years.

2-day Punjabi conference ends
Patiala, May 1
The fifth All-India Punjabi Conference concluded on the Punjabi University campus here today with experts and delegates emphasising on the need of making conscious, cooperative and consistent efforts to promote Punjabi in its entirety.

Four get life term for killing player
Moga, May 1
Additional District and Sessions’ Judge Harpal Singh has sentenced four youths to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of murdering a budding kabaddi player.

Court declines Pepsi Foods plea
Chandigarh, May 1
A petition filed by Pepsi Foods Limited against the State of Punjab asking it to pay market fee, rural development fee and penalty has failed to find favour with the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

HC cracks whip on schools hiking fee irrationally
Chandigarh, May 1
Opening the chapter of fairness in school education, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today prohibited schools in this part of the region from hiking fee without prior permission from the boards and councils these were
affiliated to.

...seeks info on status of RTE Act
Chandigarh, May 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court wants to know from the Central Board of Secondary Education, Punjab School Education Board and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education whether the provisions of the Right to Education Act were being complied with by the schools affiliated to it.

Kidnapped Tarn Taran boy found murdered
Tarn Taran, May 1
The police today recovered the body of 14-year-old Jagjit, who was kidnapped for ransom on Saturday, from the outskirts of Bhuchar Khurd village, 16 km from his native village
Narla.

Amritsar, May 1
Four days after they suspended bilateral trade between India and Pakistan at the new Integrated Check Post at Attari, the striking traders today decided to temporarily resume the trade from tomorrow after the government agreed to one of their major demands while assuring to review others as well.

Talking to The Tribune over the phone from New Delhi, Amritsar Exporters Chambers of Commerce vice-president Rajdeep Uppal said the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) officials had agreed to allow free storage for three days, including the day of arrival, for gypsum, which had been one of their main demands.

Earlier, the CWC was charging Rs 3 per tonne per day as storage charge for gypsum. Similarly, they told the CWC that cement being imported from Pakistan could not be lifted the same day. He said they also raised the issue of entry fee of Rs 200 per truck for goods being imported from Pakistan and that the CWC had assured to review it.

Apart from it, they also voiced their concern over the exporters being levied labour charges. “Though the trucks loaded with goods meant for export are not unloaded, still we have to pay labour charges. We are also paying 25 per cent of it to the CWC as handling charges despite the fact that they provide no service when it comes to exports,” he said.

The CWC officials told the traders that they had entered into a contract in this regard and they would have to seek a legal opinion on this particular issue. Sources said there were also differences between the two sides as to who would take up the matter with labourers as both of them were passing the buck on each other.

Uppal said CWC managing director BB Pattnaik gave them a patient hearing on various issues concerning the trade at the Integrated Check Post and assured them to review their other demands as well within eight to 10 days. He said a team headed by Land Port Authority of India member Mohinder Ranga would reach Attari on Friday and submit a report after looking into the ground realities for a couple of days.

The traders had proceeded on strike, suspending exports to Pakistan and lifting of imported goods, on April 27 to lodge their protest against “excessive handling charges” at the ICP. Subsequently, the bilateral trade between India and Pak suffered a blow with exports coming to a halt and stock of imported goods piling up at the check post. The only movement witnessed in the otherwise deserted ICP was that of trucks loaded with gypsum and cement that are arriving from Pakistan for the last four days.

Goindwal Sahib (Tarn Taran), May 1
Goindwal industrialists complain that despite a government notification waiving interest on loans, the Punjab Financial Corporation is not implementing the order in letter and spirit.

The industrialists, who were asked to deposit 25 per cent of their principal loan as part of one-time settlement (OTS) scheme by April 30, say the corporation has misinterpreted the notification and there is a mismatch between the tentative settlement amount as worked by the corporation and the actual outstanding sum.

Amarjit Singh of Goindwal Tools and Forgings said: “I took a loan of Rs 23.02 lakh in 1990 and have repaid Rs 30.5
lakh. Now under the OTS, I have been asked to deposit 25 per cent of Rs 22 lakh of the outstanding amount.” He said since the government had waived interest, the corporation should abide by the guidelines. He had already paid more money than the principal amount, he claimed.

“Though I have paid over Rs 5 lakh as demanded, it is unjustified,” Amarjit Singh said. Ajit Singh Hanspal of Punjab Wooden Industries said: “I had two loans of Rs 2.97 lakh and Rs 60, 000. I have paid back Rs 5,35,453 and Rs 1,69,287 for both. But the corporation claims that a sum of 2,17,345 is outstanding against him.”

Hanspal said as he had already paid much more than the principal amount. Many more industrialists feel the corporation is creating confusion.

After a 12-year-long battle, the Goindwal Industry Association had on December 23, 2011, made the state government accede to its demand for waiving interest . A notification was issued instructing the corporation to recover the principal loan amount.

The industrialists have written to CM Parkash Singh Badal on the “approach adopted by the Financial Corporation”. They have demanded that the latter be told not to burden them with “unjust demands.”

New Delhi, May 1
Vikram Singh, who was sentenced to death in the kidnapping-cum-and murder of Abhi
Verma, a 16-year-old student of DAV School, Hoshiarpur, in February 2005, today pleaded with the Supreme Court to stay his execution, citing the delay over his mercy petition and challenging the law under which he was convicted.

After checking with the authorities at the Patiala Central Jail, where Vikram is lodged, and ascertaining that the execution had not been slated for tomorrow or in the next few days, the Bench asked Garg to argue the case tomorrow.

Vikram alias Vicky, now aged 32, and co-accused Jasveer Singh alias Jassa and Sonia were sentenced to death by the trial court at Hoshiarpur on December 12, 2006. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had confirmed the death sentences on May 30, 2008. On January 25, 2010, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences awarded to Vikram and Jasveer, but commuted it to life term in the case of Sonia.

Jasveer pleaded for commutation of his sentence as his mercy petition had been pending for a decision for seven years. Further, Section 364 of the IPC pertaining to kidnap for murder prescribed only life sentence, while 364A dealing with kidnap for ransom which was a less heinous crime mandated death penalty, he pointed out.

Also, Section 364A was enacted to deal with militants and terrorists who resorted to kidnapping at the instance of foreign powers to get their associates released from jail, but this was being used against ordinary criminals, he lamented.

Chandigarh, May 1
Balwinder Singh Bains and his brother Simarjit Singh Bains, both Independent MLAs from Ludhiana, who were expelled from the SAD for turning rebels just prior to the last assembly elections, were taken back to the party fold today. “We are happy to be back home,” they told SAD president Sukhbir Badal.

Bains brothers will become associate members of the SAD in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha after they inform Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and apply for a change in their status. Though they will remain Independent legislators, they will be attached to the SAD and the party whip will apply to them as to any other party legislator.

Sukhbir said their return was unconditional and the differences that had emerged between them and the party leadership had been resolved. Though the forthcoming Municipal election are said to be the immediate reason for taking the two into the party fold, both sides denied that being the motive. Balwinder represents Ludhiana (South) and Simarjit Atam Nagar (Ludhiana). Four municipal councillors and scores of other supporters of the duo have also joined the SAD.

Municipal elections are due in the state in June this year. Since both brothers represent constituencies with mainly urban following, it is a strategic move on part of the SAD to take them back. Besides, with the induction of two independent MLAs into the SAD, its strength in the Vidhan Sabha has touched the magic figure of 58 on its own in a House of 117. With another 12 BJP legislators supporting the SAD-BJP alliance, the government is firmly on saddle.

Former Jail Minister Hira Singh Gabria, who had lost to Simarjit in the last elections, is reportedly annoyed with the move of taking Bains brothers back into the party fold.

“That is an internal party matter and it has been sorted out. Today’s move is a conclusion of our talks with various party leaders”, Sukhbir said, adding that all the modalities about the municipal elections would be finalised within the next 10 days.

What it means

Balwinder & Simarjit are associate members of SAD

They will be Independent legislators attached to the SAD; party whip will apply to them

SAD strength in the Vidhan Sabha has now touched the magic figure of 58

Chandigarh, May 1
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has not received any formal communication from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leadership on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s name as it’s Vice-Presidential candidate. Even the name of AJP Abdul Kalam for President’s post has been suggested by the BJP and not the NDA, said SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Rubbishing talk of cracks within the NDA over the names of Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees, Sukhbir said the NDA leaders were yet to meet and decide on the candidates. “I cannot say who the SAD will support or oppose. But the matter will be sorted out once a meeting is called,” he said.

The SAD president said the party had not received a formal communication from the NDA, asking it to give a name for the Vice-President’s post.

“All I can say is that there is no official communication in this regard yet. But the SAD is bound by any collective decision taken by NDAconstituents ”.

He hit out at the UPA Government for shortage of storage space for grain in the state. “The UPA Government never takes preventive steps to avert a crisis. Procurement takes twice a year, but no action has been taken to sort out the problem,” he said.

Industrial associations in the country had begun to blame the Congress-led UPA Government for policy paralysis. He said the downgrading of Indian economy by an international body was worrisome as it would send negative signals to global investors.

He said Punjab was seeking its rightful share in Central taxes.The state was getting a share of just 1.3 per cent while other states got a share of 16 per cent to 23 per cent.

He said in the past five years, the SAD-BJP government had stablised the state’s economy.

The state’s debt to the GSDP had come down to 29.7 per cent from 46 per cent. Criticising Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh’s remarks on a debt waiver, Sukhbir said: “He reminds me of defeated kings. They would destroy their kingdom when defeated in war so that the invading army could not enjoy the fruits of development.”

He claimed that he was being approached by more and more leaders from other parties to be taken into the SAD fold

Chandigarh, May 1
Fears of the Chief Election Commission of India on the misuse of media in the form of paid news have come true. Candidates inserted news worth Rs 1.17 crore in various newspapers during th assembly elections in Punjab, despite the model code of conduct banning the practice.

After issuing notices to 339 candidates and noting down expenditure in shadow registers of 201, the Chief Electoral Officer has calculated the money spent on paid news at Rs 1,17,54,422.

The Election Commission has decided to send the matter to the Press Council of India. Several TV channels and newspapers may face the music
if the Press Council decides to initiate action against them for the unethical
practice.

“We issued notices to 339 candidates and 201 of them admitted to having inserted paid news. But none crossed the expenditure limit of Rs 16
lakh. According to the poll code, neither candidates nor the media are allowed to insert paid news. Now, the Press Council will inquire into the matter and take action,” said sources.

Kusumjit Sidhu, CEO, confirmed that the matter was being referred to the Press Council. She said the Election Office had received 523 complaints from 22 districts on paid news. It had issued notices to 339 candidates and 74 had denied commiting
the offence.

A maximum of 151 cases were reported from Jalandhar and 60 notices issued. As many as 108 candidates had agreed to book
expenditure in their shadow registers.

Ferozepur, May 1
Congress MLA from Guruharsahai Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi took up the issue of compensation to farmers with land-holding across the border fence with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during a meeting with him yesterday.

Talking to The Tribune on the phone, Sodhi said the PM had assured him that he would look into the matter and instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs to do the needful.

Hundreds of farmers with land-holdings across the barbed wire along the Indo-Pakistan border are allowed to work in their fields for a stipulated time. For this purpose, the BSF issues them special passes. Sodhi said he had requested the PM to enhance the compensation amount given to these farmers and clear their arrears that had been pending for years.

Sodhi also took up the issue of re-opening of the
Hussainiwala-Lahore border for trade. He demanded that Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
(BHEL) set up industry in his constituency so that jobs could be provided to youths who were increasingly taking to drugs.

The legislator said he had demanded that farmers be given a bonus on wheat and submitted a list of roads to be taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak
Yojana.

Nabha, May 1
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has made it clear that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will support the BJP on whatever decision the alliance partner will take on the issue of presidential polls.

Interacting with mediapersons at the residence of former Punjab Minister Raja Narinder Singh, the Chief Minister said the SAD would standby with the BJP’s call on the elections for the next President of India.

Replying to a media query regarding forthcoming civic elections, Badal said the SAD-BJP alliance was all prepared for the municipal corporation elections. “Morale of the rank and file of both the SAD and the BJP is on high spirits and the party cadre is working tirelessly to ensure that the SAD-BJP alliance makes a clean sweep in the elections,” said.

“Our alliance has already geared up for the elections and when the Election Commission will announce the date for the polls, candidates for the civic elections will be announced subsequently,” he added.

Badal said in order to raise the standard of education in the state, as many as 10,000 teachers would be recruited soon. He also said in order to provide better administrative services, vacancies in other government departments would also be filled soon.

“Very soon, the vacant posts of PCS will be filled and in future, the government will ensure that recruitment is made against the vacant posts on annual basis,” the Chief Minister announced.

Amritsar, May 1
The state government’s ambitious ULTra personal rapid transport system that is to be introduced in the holy city is unlikely to meet its 2014 deadline. For, the congested and narrow streets of Amritsar have compelled the authorities to implement need-based changes in the original model.

Conceptualised on the lines of a similar project at Heathrow Airport in London, construction work on the Rs 198-crore project’s first phase, connecting the Bus Stand, Hall Bazar and the Golden Temple, was to begin in January last. The entire project’s length is 3.3 km.

According to the latest plan, the 20-ft elevated guide-way for magnetic pods (driverless self-driven battery operated six-seat cabs) would be laid on one side of the road. Earlier, it was to be built in the middle of the road.

The major hindrance is the 600-ft-long stretch on Maha Singh Gate-State Bank of India branch-Town Hall-Bus Stand route. Raising a 12-ft-wide elevation for rubber track in the narrow lane, which is just 14-ft wide, would be a tough job.

Then, the century-old residential buildings, especially those located on the left hand side of the route, are also an impediment. In view of their weak foundation, there is threat to these structures when six-ft-deep gorges would be dug up to erect pillars for supporting the elevated track. Encroachments by traders and intermingled bunch of telephone and electricity cables are also an obstruction.

Amid all these hiccups, questions are being raised over the rationality of the feasibility recce conducted by local agency ULTra-Fairwood, which was hired to look after the design and management of the project.

Amritsar Municipal Commissioner Dharampal Gupta said, “A safety study is being done by a team of experts. We can afford to be a bit late than introducing structural errors…All eyes are set on this country’s first innovative project. We are trying to find alternatives to overcome hindrances like making the project feasible through the narrow lanes of the holy city.”

London dreams far away

Conceptualised on the lines of a similar project at Heathrow Airport in London, a 3.3-km-long ULTra personal rapid transport system is to be introduced in Amritsar

A 20-ft elevated guide-way would be built on one side of the road, over which magnetic pods (driverless self-driven battery operated six-seat cabs) would operate

Construction work on the Rs 198-crore project’s first phase, connecting the Bus Stand, Hall Bazar and the Golden Temple, was to begin in January last year

The narrow lanes of the holy city, however, have been posing a challenge to the authorities for raising a 12-ft-wide elevation

The century-old residential buildings, especially those located on the left hand side of the route, are also an impediment

In view of their weak foundation, there is threat to these structures when six-ft-deep gorges would be dug up to erect pillars for supporting the elevated track

Encroachments by traders and intermingled telephone and power cables are also an obstruction

According to the latest plan, the 20-ft elevated guide-way would be laid on one side of the road; earlier, it was to be built in the middle of the road

Moga, May 1
The crime branch of the Punjab Police will continue investigation in the Rs 8-crore paddy scam. Unearthed in December 2009 in the border district of Ferozepur, it also has roots in Faridkot and Moga districts.An accused in the case, Gurbhej Singh, had met former DGP Anil Kaushik on February 28 after which the case investigation was transferred from the crime branch to the Ferozepur SP (D).

After coming to know about Gurbhej’s alleged involvement in the case, ADGP (crime) VK Bhawra took up the matter with DGP Sumedh Saini and vested the investigation back to the crime branch. Patiala SP (crime) Jaipal Singh, who was earlier probing the scam, would continue the investigation, confirmed a senior police official. As many as 1,92,973 paddy bags belonging to Pungrain were reportedly sold to rice millers in Ferozepur, Moga and Faridkot districts illegally instead of milling and handing over custom milled rice to the Food Corporation of India in the central pool.

It is seventh time that the state government has transferred the investigation of the case. After the registration of an FIR under Sections 406, 407, 409, 420, 465, 466, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC in the police station (rural) at Ferozepur, the investigation was handed over to the CIA staff, Ferozepur.

On January 11, 2010, the Chief Secretary ordered to conduct investigation by the Vigilance. But, on January 22, 2010, he again issued orders for an investigation by the crime branch. However, the local police did not hand over the case to the crime branch.

The police prepared the challan but the DIG, Bathinda Range, found 12 flaws in it and sought permission from for reinvestigation. A three-member special investigation team headed by Moga SP (H) was constituted. Later, the investigation was handed over to IG, Bathinda Range, and then to the crime branch.

Whistleblower getS Clean chit

Former Ferozepur District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Sukhdev Singh, who blew the lid off the scam but was later himself made an accused, and seven other government officials have got a clean chit from the police. The application to discharge them from the charges has already been submitted in the court. The next hearing, when the plea may be considered, is on May 21.

Videos of ‘evidence’ submitted to police

Sukhdev Singh has handed over video clippings and photographs "establishing" paddy embezzlement to the police. These videos and photos were prepared in controversial rice mills after paddy was allotted to them for milling.

Bathinda, May 1
The Centre’s decision allowing cotton export has failed to bring cheer to farmers who say the decision will

primarily benefit traders and exporters.

District president, BKU Ekta
(Ugraha), Shingara Singh Mann, said farmers had nothing to gain from the government’s move. “The ban on exports should have been lifted in September-October to provide farmers an opportunity to

sell their produce for exports in the open market. Under
globalisation, the rich alone are being empowered,” Mann said.

Small-time traders feel cheated too. State president of the Beopar Mandal Ashok Dhunike said only those traders who had bought cotton in bulk and stored it in anticipation of the the ban being lifted would benefit.

“Had the government taken this decision in September-October, cotton growers would have earned rich dividends,” he said.

Ginner Sukhdev Singh Chahal from Talwandi Sabo the Centre’s decision would enable big export houses to mint money. “The entire North India has sold its cotton. Some farmers in Gujarat may have held back stock which can now be exported ,” he said.

He also said while the ban had been lifted weeks ago, the government had not allowed new registrations for export until now. “Cotton farmers in the state did not gain much this year as there was plenty of cotton and few buyers,” he said.

Sources in the regional office of the Cotton Corporation of India
(CCI), which oversees procurement in seven cotton- producing districts of Punjab, said the prices of cotton had not picked up even after the Centre’s announcement.

“Cotton is being sold at Rs 4,200 per quintal. Hardly 1,800 to 2,000 bales of cotton arrivals were registered today,” said officials.

But Dr GS Romana from PAU extension centre said instead of short-term gains, one should look at the bigger picture. “The move will be beneficial in the long run. The Agriculture

Sahnewal, May 1
Residents of Katani Kalan village today blocked the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road for nearly three hours in protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the police in nabbing a hit-and-run accused.

The protesters also kept the body of Jasvir Singh, who succumbed to his injuries last night, at the Chowk of the village on the Ludhiana Chandigarh road. Jasvir Singh, who owned a fruit shop at the Katani Kalan Chowk, was hit by a speeding car when he was crossing the road in his rickshaw. He was seriously injured in the mishap and was taken to Samrala civil hospital from where he was referred to CMC Hospital in Ludhiana.

Jasvir’s brother said, "At about 8.30 pm on April 24 my brother was hit by a speeding car. We took him to CMC, but due to our inability to pay high fee, we shifted him to Civil Hospital, where he breathed his last yesterday evening."

The deceased, who is survived by his three children, was the only bread earner of his family. “We brought his body from the civil hospital today and kept it in the middle of the road in protest against the police, which has turned a deaf ear to our pleas despite the fact that we have noted down the number of the vehicle,” he said.

The dharna was lifted after the police assured that criminal action would be initiated against the accused person. Ajmer Singh Bhagpur, brother of Panjab PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who reached the spot, said he would take up the issue with the government to provide support to the deceased’s family.

SHO Kulwant Singh said a case was registered against unidentified person under Sections 279,337,338, 427 of IPC on the day of the accident and section 304-A was added to it after the death of Jasvir Singh. “We are doing our best. The number plate of the vehicle was broken. We have to cross check before arresting a person in the case,” he said.

Nabha, May 1
Punjab Public School (PPS), Nabha, which is waiting for its alumnus Lieut Gen Bikram Singh to take over the reins of the Indian Army on May 31, is battling monkey menace, which has assumed alarming proportions in the area.

Students of the school are paying 50 paise each per month as charges for trained bodyguards (langurs), the school has hired to keep monkeys at bay. The school was forced to hire langurs after some students were attacked by simians on the campus.

The monkey population in this small town has grown significantly, posing a threat to its resident. Worst affected are the students of PPS, which has a sprawling campus having a large number of trees. Schoolteachers and students say monkeys are always on the prowl and never miss an opportunity to attack them and rob them of eatables they carry.

“Ever since we hired two langurs six months ago, there is not even a single incident of simian attack,” claims Jagpreet Singh, PPS Headmaster. He said the menace was, however, rampant outside the school campus. Even as 24 persons were bitten by monkeys in recent past, the Wildlife Department has failed to check the menace.

“I got the idea of hiring langurs from an army school in Himachal Pradesh that too had kept langurs to control simian menace. I also made it a point to bring trained langurs from Himachal to make sure that our campus is safe from monkey trouble,” Jagpreet said.

However, the langurs must keep moving around to frighten the monkeys. “If a langur is stationed at a place or tied to a tree, monkeys do not get scared. So the langur has to move around and chase the monkeys away. We thus hired caretakers to keep tabs on the movement of langurs,” said a senior school official.

“Students of the school undergo strenuous physical exercise every day. They are also trained in martial arts. Despite this, they are finding it difficult to defend themselves from monkeys. Just recently, my cousin was attacked by simians on the campus when he had come to see me,” said a senior student.

Each langur costs the school Rs 5,000 per month that excludes its food, and lodging and boarding of its caretaker. “It is better to take such a precaution than to pay thousands on monkey bite treatment,” said Dr Rajwant Singh, PPS physician.

Bitta assured the student leader that he would take up the matter with the Punjab Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and meet HRD Ministry and Vice President of India to get the quota restored.

Addressing the gathering, Bitta said Punjab youth had suffered a lot during terrorism and such moves would further affect the uplift of youth. "There are no ways about the fact that Thapar University is a great institute and we don't question its quality at all. But one cannot deny the fact that Punjab students, who have studied here since years, have contributed in establishing its reputation. They cannot just do away with the quota as it will be a setback for these students," he added.

Patiala, May 1
Intensifying their agitation against the Punjab Government for allegedly delaying the notification of their revised pay scales, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and CSS Teachers today gheraoed the house of Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra.

They demanded the Minister should get their meeting fixed with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in this regard.

A large number of teachers from Patiala, Barnala, Mansa and Sangrur sat outside the Minister’s house and blocked traffic for about two hours.

They vacated the spot after written assurance from Jaspal Singh, political secretary of the Minister that their meeting would be fixed with the CM before May 10. — TNS

Patiala, May 1
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) chief administrator, RP
Pandove, has been unanimously elected as president of the All-India Electricity Sports Control Board
(AIESCB) for the next four years.

The decision was taken during the annual general body meeting of the House. Members of the House have come from electricity utilities from all over the country.

The House also unanimously elected JK
Dahiya, assistant general manager (HR), Tata Power Distribution Company, New Delhi, as its general secretary and Sunil
Bhardwaj, Dakshin Haryana Vidyut Parsaran Nigam Limited, as executive secretary.

Patiala, May 1
The fifth All-India Punjabi Conference concluded on the Punjabi University campus here today with experts and delegates emphasising on the need of making conscious, cooperative and consistent efforts to promote Punjabi in its entirety.

Chief guest Pondicherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh said there was no danger to the existence and survival of Punjabi language anywhere in the world. Describing Punjabi University as the lighthouse of Punjabiyat, he stressed upon the need of establishing trusts all over the country that could work for the furtherance of Punjabi language, art and culture. Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh laid emphasis on producing quality literature, music and theatre along with quality audience and carrying forward the rich legacy for the future generations.

Four get life term for killing player
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Moga, May 1
Additional District and Sessions’ Judge Harpal Singh has sentenced four youths to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of murdering a budding kabaddi player.

The victim, Kuldeep Singh, had gone to meet his beloved on December 25, 2010, but he was brutally beaten up by two brothers and relatives of the girl when they found him in their house.

The culprits are Darshan Singh, Rajinder Singh, both brothers, Kala Singh and Gursewak Singh. They were booked on the complaint of Iqbal Singh, deceased’s cousin, who had accompanied him on the day of murder.

Iqbal had stated in his complaint that the girl had invited Kuldeep to her house in Dhurkot Ranssian village for a dialogue regarding their marriage.

While Iqbal stood guard on the main gate of the house, Kuldeep went inside where the brothers and other relatives of the girl caught hold of him and beat him up brutally. Kuldeep succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Chandigarh, May 1
A petition filed by Pepsi Foods Limited against the State of Punjab asking it to pay market fee, rural development fee and penalty has failed to find favour with the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A Division Bench has dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by it along with Pepsico India Holdings Private Limited.

The petitioner company claimed that it had been procuring potato within Punjab from other states and from farmers directly after setting up a factory for manufacturing potato chips at Channo village in Sangrur district.

The company claimed that the factory was covered under the “confectioners and purveyors of parched, fried and cooked food” since it was engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling potato chips.

The petitioner said it was exempted from obtaining licence under Section 6 of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961, and in view of Section 23 of the Act, fee could not be levied on it for purchase of agricultural produce.

Another ground of challenge was that market fee could not be levied, since “potatoes were purchased in different states and not bought within the State of Punjab.”

Taking up the matter, a Bench of Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Alok Singh asserted: “In the Act, the term confectioner or purveyor is not defined. Therefore, we would like to refer the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus to see the definition of confectioner and purveyor.

“As per the dictionary meaning, confectioner means dealer in sweets or pastries. Since the petitioner is not a dealer, rather is a manufacturer of potato chips by processing potatoes, therefore, it would not fall within the definition of confectioner?.

“The petitioner is manufacturer of potato chips and cannot be regarded as supplier or dealer of the food. Therefore, the petitioner is not exempted from taking licence?

“The petitioner has not placed on record any evidence to prove that potatoes were transported within the State of Punjab by the petitioner himself?. Adverse inference has to be drawn against the petitioner to say that potatoes were delivered in the factory of Punjab and no duty was paid in other states. Therefore, the petitioner is duty-bound to pay market fee on such purchases?.”

Chandigarh, May 1
Opening the chapter of fairness in school education, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today prohibited schools in this part of the region from hiking fee without prior permission from the boards and councils these were
affiliated to.

“No fee and other charges shall be enhanced by any school situated within the territorial jurisdiction of this court and affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, Punjab School Education Board and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, without prior approval of the respective board or council”, the Bench of Justice SK Mittal and Justice TPS Mann ruled.

The directions came on three related petitions filed in public interest. One of the petitions has been filed by 10 students from Malerkotla. The students, Pranav Goyal and others, in their petition through their parents, had sought directions to the authorities concerned to curb the menace of irrational and whimsical fee hike by the schools.

Referring to the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of Modern School versus Union of India, the petitioners contended each institute was required to maintain school account on the principles of non-business organisation.

Quoting the example of fee hike by a Malerkotla school, the petitioner stated the institute, during the 2009 academic session, was charging admission fee of Rs 3,500 and annual charges of Rs 4,500, besides quarterly tuition fee, computer fee, science fee, conveyance fee and building fund amounting to Rs 5,000.

In academic year beginning 2012, the annual charges were hiked to Rs 11,000. Development fee of Rs 2,000 was also charged, besides other fees on quarterly basis.

The petitioner claimed in 2010, Rs 1.08 crore was collected by the school as annual charges. The amount rose to Rs 1.87 crore for the academic session 2011.

Besides, the students were being forced to buy stationary and uniform from school shops.

Chandigarh, May 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court wants to know from the Central Board of Secondary Education, Punjab School Education Board and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education whether the provisions of the Right to Education Act were being complied with by the schools affiliated to it.

The boards and education councils have even been asked to file detailed affidavits on this and related issues.

The Division Bench of Justice SK Mittal and Justice TPS Mann, in fact, asked the education boards and councils to specify: “Whether the schools affiliated to them have followed the mandatory requirement of the Right to Education Act, that is giving admission to 25 per cent students of the weaker section of the society and have supplied books and dresses as per the requirement; and if not what steps have been taken by them in this regard?”

The query came on a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption and Crime Investigation Cell against the State of Punjab and other respondents. The Bench also asked the boards and councils to elaborate: “Whether schools affiliated to them have submitted annual profit and loss account to them during the last five years; and if not, what action has been taken by them against the defaulting schools?”

The boards were further asked to inform the Bench: “Whether the salaries paid to the teachers and other employees by the schools affiliated to them are in accordance with the rules and guidelines framed by them or the state government?

The last query by the Bench was: “Whether the schools affiliated to them are prescribing the books of private publishers; if yes, what steps have been taken by them for directing the schools to prescribe the books published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training?”

Before parting with the orders, the Bench also directed the
CBSE, the Punjab School Education Board and the ICSE to “supply a list of schools affiliated with them, situated within the territorial jurisdiction of this court”.

Tarn Taran, May 1
The police today recovered the body of 14-year-old Jagjit, who was kidnapped for ransom on Saturday, from the outskirts of Bhuchar Khurd village, 16 km from his native village Narla.

Manminder Singh, SSP, said the boy seemed to have been strangled to death. The body had been sent for a postmortem

examination. The police has arrested Surjit Kumar, a close relative of the victim’s mother. Another accused identified as Lakhwinder has absconded and a hunt has been launched to nab him.

Jagjit, a Class VIII student of Government Secondary School, Khalra, was abducted on his way to school.The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 12 lakh for his release.

The victim’s father Ramji told the police that he had received ransom calls from mobile nos. 99144-47791, 88726-59407, 98149-78920 and 97817-43628. Subsequently, a case under Section 364-A, IPC, was registered against three persons.

The SSP said that during interrogation Surjit had confessed to have killed the boy as he had identified him and his accomplices.

“Fearing that the boy would reveal their names to his family members, they panicked and decided to kill him,” the SSP said.